Sydney Murphy

Associate Editor and Freelance Writer

United States

Associate Editor of Physician's Briefs at HealthDay
Global Communications Intern at United Nations

Education:
Columbia University's Graduate School of Journalism
Wheaton College MA

Previous Experience:
Senior Editor of online publication, BLENDtw College
Freelance Science and Tech Writer for HowStuffWorks
Peer Editor for the International Journal of Exercise Science (IJES)
Cognitive Science Research Intern at tutoring company, Talentnook
Editor-in-Chief of college newspaper, The Wheaton Wire

Portfolio

Science and Healthcare Writing

HowStuffWorks
12/14/2021
What's an Easy Way to Convert Celsius Temps to Fahrenheit?

Depending on where you live in the world, you either use the Fahrenheit or the Celsius temperature scale. Converting between the two is easier than you may expect. A couple of simple formulas can help you estimate or exactly convert between the temperature scales.

HowStuffWorks
11/12/2021
You Track the Weather. Does Your Weather App Track You Back?

Many people check the weather forecast every day by using an app, not realizing that doing this compromises their privacy. Weather websites and apps are notorious for gathering your personal information, according to a review published by The New York Times' Wirecutter back in May 2021.

Wheatonwire
05/11/2021
Essential Skills for College Students

College students today are in a high-stress environment and under pressure 24/7. Though there are many ways college students learn to cope with the active campus life and course load, some lack understanding of the essential skills college students need to help them succeed.

Wheatonwire
04/29/2021
Fluctuating College Drinking Habits Due to COVID-19

College life looked very different for students this 2020-21 academic year due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Many colleges transitioned to online learning, resulting in students falling into a world of social isolation and distancing. About half of the current college students in the U.S. drink alcohol and about one-third of those students binge drink.

Wheatonwire
04/24/2021
Environmental Policy: An Earth Day Celebration

At an Earth Day event at Wheaton College, students participated in a Q and A about the importance of staying active in environmental policymaking. The panel event featured guest speakers Professor Bradford Bishop of the Political Science department and Policy Director for the Trustees of Reservations, Linda Orel.

Wheatonwire
04/20/2021
Students Stressed About Finances Over Applications

There has been a substantial decline in college applications for the 2021-22 academic year according to universities across the U.S. The COVID-19 pandemic has wreaked havoc on high school students and changed many students' future plans. An article by USA Today looks at data showing that fewer low-income students are applying for college amid COVID-19 and what that means for that generation of students.

Wheatonwire
04/10/2021
NASA Wright Brothers' Moment: Interview with Jaakko Karras

History is in the making! NASA is targeting Sunday, April 11, for the Ingenuity Mars helicopter's first attempt at powered, controlled flight on another planet. The small but mighty helicopter arrived on Mars attached to the belly of the Perseverance rover on February 18, 2021.

BLENDtw
04/03/2020
Do Some of Us Have a Subconscious While Others Don't? - BLENDtw

When it comes to choosing classes, students often turn to Rate My Professors to learn more about which professors and courses to take. However, with lack of accurate information and biased opinions, Rate My Professors isn't as helpful as students think. Class schedules are the bane of a college student's existence.

Wheatonwire
03/21/2021
How Online Textbooks Are Driving A Decline In Student Spending

College textbook publishers are laser-focused on affordable course materials, driving a steep decline in student spending. College students have often struggled to afford or access textbooks and are now transitioning to using online course materials due to the spread of COVID-19.

Talentnook
01/08/2021
How Parents Can Get More Involved in Their Child's Education - Talentnook

The most important predictor of student success is the encouragement they receive from their parents when learning at home. When parents are engaged in their children's education, students have the motivation to finish their assignments and grow up in an environment that values learning.