差不多一样的,意思都表示：努力、致力于
例：
She made efforts to research the cancer.她致力于研究癌症
= She exerted herself to research the cancer.
但make effort(s)后面一定要跟动词不定式做宾语,exert oneself可以后面不跟动词不定式单用.
如：The young people friends,exert oneself diligently!青少年朋友们,奋发努力吧!对的devote oneself to 的to是介词，后面跟动名词或名词