Maria’s reflections, confessions, advice, memories, and most of all, hard-earned lessons.

Expanded from Maria’s acclaimed College of the Holy Cross commencement address and written in the voice of a trusted and trusting best friend, Ten Things I Wish I’d Known—Before I Went Out into the Real World is a pithy, poignant, down-to-earth, and at times laugh-out-loud book that will help people of all ages and on all roads in life.

“I wrote this book so that you might be spared. Not from having to learn the lessons I had to learn. No one can spare you that, because learning is experiential, and you have to do it yourself. As a wise person once told me: If I could spare you the pain you’re experiencing, I wouldn’t–because I wouldn’t want to deprive you of the strength and wisdom you’ll gain from having gone through it and come out the other side.”

“Each and every one of you is a powerful, resilient human being capable of living the life you design for yourself. I wish all of you the faith and the courage to pinpoint your passion.” (source)