Shay Mitchell takes over the August 2012 cover of Seventeen magazine.

The 25-year-old actress chatted with the glossy about Pretty Little Liars, inspiration and more. Check it:

On her PLL costars: “I’m so close with each of the girls for different things. Troian is my go-to when I want advice on something. She’s literally like her character—so smart. Lucy is so cute and southern. We joke around a lot on-set. And Ashley is like the fun, carefree little sister who I never had.”

On inspiring others: “When I was in high school, I wanted to be a counselor and I wanted to work with kids. I’ve been through the worst of high school. And I want to motivate people to live the best life that they can, because we’re only here for one life.”

What she wishes she knew when she was 17: “Growing up, I wish I hadn’t tried so hard to fit in. I’d tell myself to just embrace what you were born with because it’s beautiful and you were made like that for a reason. It’s tough being a girl. I think we need all of the support we can get.”

Bigger cover inside…