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]
(..) What is it? It's my sister's wedding. Goddamn FBI don't respect nothing! Come here, come here, come here! ...but towards the end, he was paroled to help with the American war effort, so for six months he's worked in my pastry shop. Nazorine, what can I do for you? Now that the war is over, (..)1972 The Godfather