Mentor was the name of the individual Odysseus asked to befriend and guide his son during his lengthy absences. Most student-athletes have trained many hours a day for many years to get where they are athletically. However, sometimes this comes via a sacrifice of developing other skills that are pivotal in the process of being a successful college student.
Mentors have the responsibility of modeling professionalism to the student-athletes at all times.
This not only enables your mentees to develop trust in you at a time when they are often quite vulnerable, it also gives them a valuable behavioral role model they can emulate which comes from outside of the athletic world. A mentor is not a subject tutor. You also have the ability to help the student arrange for a subject tutor if the need arises. A mentor is not just a pal. However, you should let the mentee know that you are there to help with interpersonal issues that may arise with tutors, professors, etc.