You, not them – The mentor leads by example, being an active learner themselves. Students catch a love of learning by watching their mentor live it.

Inspire, don’t require – While accountability exists, the motivation is internal. A mentor helps the student want to learn rather than making them learn.

Structure time, not content – Mentors help students protect time for deep learning, but the content may be flexible and student-driven.

Classics, not textbooks – Mentors point students to great works and real-world experiences instead of relying mainly on packaged curriculum.

Simplicity, not complexity – Mentoring focuses on clarity, purpose, and connection rather than overloading with busywork.