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]
(..) I was just smoking a butt while I was waiting. I want you to stop cursing. You can't talk to people like that all the time. I want you to make an effort to talk nice. And I want you to stop smoking. It will kill you. Stay away from him. He looks like a weirdo. (..)1994 Léon: The Professional