Knowledge must be processed. It takes longer but is retained. Flash cards are good but better with a partner. In this way partner must give hints, not just spout the answer. Working alone with flash cards usually isn't as effective.
Student merely turns the card over and recognizes the answer rather than processing.
We, who are teachers, did not have a problem studying, memorizing facts, processing information, etc. The topic was student motivation. He feels the problem is the quality of the advising. He thinks that perhaps our expectations are too high. SFA has one of the lowest retention rates of first time Freshmen in the state.