The school 'makes every effort' [=the school does all that it can] 'to help' new students become adjusted to college life.
His novel's surprise ending is not really convincing, but we'll give him 'an A for effort'.
He wanted to contribute in some way to the 'war effort'. [=to the effort to win the war]
(..) the end of their long journey. After weeks of marching they're desperately tired. The matriarch can smell water and encourages the herd to make one last effort. The youngsters are exhausted but their mothers have made this journey before and they know that they're close to water. (..)2006 TvShow: Planet Earth Title: From Pole to Pole Season: 1 Episode 1