So they work it out between themselves I don’t see the problem.
I think it would cause an issue to immediately say, pay each of us $100 because you took the bigger room. I think it would go over better to say it seems fair to discuss a trade at the semester break. Then if they don’t want to, point out that all are paying the same rent. See if you can get them to propose some solutions.
Maybe she and the roommate who have the bigger room can supply the tv for the common area. Seems fair
Just let it slide. I agree it’s rude but let’s concentrate on whats important, your academic school year. But keep your TV in your room.
I agree with @intparent - it may be best to say no to moving the TV to the living room. You need to set the parameters upfront otherwise, she’ll keep making demands or just expect to always get her way.
If the university left it up to the students to determine who slept in which room, I think I’d have been inclined to snag the larger one had I been the first to arrive. I imagine that’s probably pretty standard behavior. Things can change. You and the others might decide to mix things up once you become more familiar with one another and your various habits.
Yeah, I’m trying not to judge her too much for that-at the same time, being raised in a family where fairness was key (when I was little, we pulled straws when we couldn’t agree on what show to watch) I kind of expected some courtesy
Just say no. Over and over and over again.
You give her an inch and she’ll beat you with the ruler. Seen it, been there, gotten beaten with the ruler.
Don’t feel bad about your choices. If she wants a tv badly enough, she can get her own. If she’s nice to you, maybe you let her in to your room to watch one of your shows.
This is a girly dominance pissing contest, and you have to be firm but kind to maintain your happiness. If you’re worried about appearing mean when you say no, stop feeling that way. It’s illogical and based on feelings. Feelings get your tv taken away and you stuck in a small room and STILL feeling guilty about it.
People respect no. If she doesn’t, then you’re going to have bigger issues with her going forward.
One of my favorite “no” phrases is “that’s not going to work for me.” I use it a lot.
I used to say “I’m sorry, that’s not going to work for me”, but then I realized I had nothing to apologize for (I used to be one of those over-apologizing women), and now I only apologize when I’ve done something wrong. You should not apologize for wanting your tv in your room.
if you’re looking for an easy excuse to decline making it a common tv, how about saying- your mom loaned it to you, and she’d be royally mad if it wasn’t just in your room.
Of course, they are likely to respond- how your mom would know? But you don’t have to explain further, just say no, you won’t do it.
The mom lie could backfire if your mom comes and they decide to ask her. I don’t think you have to lie, but don’t give in. Women (and I am one) do that far too often to keep peace, and that just lets the queen bees continue to rule.
This is someone you have to live with. Don’t start out with a power struggle. And dont lie. Just say ( re the TV) that wasn’t ( or isn’t) my plan.
So she got there first. Is she supposed to keep all her belongings in the common area and wait until all four of you are there to draw straws? IMO the university created a bad situation when they designed the apartments. Or maybe they are older apartments the university purchased. In that case the school should assign a particular room to each student. What happens if one pair of roommates destroys the bedroom they use? How does the school bill the proper pair of students for damage?
A simple firm reply that it’s your TV, for your bedroom is enough. It should not rise to the level of drama and discussion we have here. You have a bitter taste in your mouth over bedroom selection. Don’t let it color the whole year. She might end up being your best friend.
There is no end to that kind of bad behavior. Why would you want a “friend” like that? You can be both decisive and pleasant.
Solution #1 “I’ve thought about it and my TV goes in my room. I’d be happy to go in with the rest of you on a common TV.”
Of course, then you have to have a plan in place to cash out the leavers when the happy community breaks up.
Solution #2 “I’d be happy to put my TV in the common room if I can use your 24” in my room."
Of course, then you have to have a plan for sharing the costs of Cable considering that you have more use.
Some schools, rooms are assigned - that was the case with DD at UA with the suite housing.
You have to decide how you want to behave, what you think is fair, and how much energy you want to put to this. Is your room-mate manipulative or just wants to take best advantage for him/herself? How much is this person going to be a distraction for your studies?
You will be confronted with this throughout life.
Since you share a BR, maybe your room-mate doesn’t want the TV in your shared room.
I would expect someone who arrived early and took the best of something to offer to trade with others later in the year. That would be common courtesy. These are grad students, right? So 22, not 18. Would hope they learned to share by then… but I guess some people never do.
We’re undergrads, they’re juniors and I’m a sophomore-yeah, my first thought was trading after winter. The girl I’m sharing with may be moving, in which case I’ll have a single-which I am more than willing to trade after the break/whenever we decide what we want
Keep your TV. Think of it as taking cash out of your pocket and just handing it over to her, with nothing in return, because that is what you are doing. Or giving your parent’s money away if they bought the TV.
btw, since you are already bringing most of the common items as you said, you are being taken advantage of. It’s great to be generous and kind, but only to a point. Lose the guilt and man-up. (Yes, I know you are a girl.) 
I didn’t know college students even watched tv anymore! My kids and their friends just watch Netflix etc.
I think it could be tough on a roommate to have a tv in the room. You say it helps you sleep but what about the roommate?
In my experience, if the roommates already know each other, then they reach an agreement on the rooms in advance. It’s natural to discuss this if you are planning to room with some friends. But if they are strangers just randomly showing up, it’s always been first come first served in my experience and I don’t find it exceptionally rude. Both my kids have arrived later to their rooms to find that the better bed/dresser/closet/desk etc. was already claimed by the person who arrived first. Yes, it would be nice if they waited and there was discussion, but on the other hand, they naturally may like to get unpacked and settled in and not want to leave all their stuff in limbo in a heap. It would be courteous if the girls in the larger room offered to switch rooms midyear but this does create a lot of work for everyone to move and I would understand if they don’t want to spend hours on this. I would put this issue behind you.
With regard to the TV, I disagree with what some posters wrote. You brought a TV to use in your bedroom. You shouldn’t have to put it elsewhere, unless perhaps the girl you share the bedroom with is unhappy with that arrangement. And neither should you have to buy any part of another TV because they like your TV–you already own one! If they want a TV for the living room, they can buy one. That said, if your roommate doesn’t like your bedtime viewing, you may get little use out of it in the bedroom. You might prefer to watch on your computer with headphones in bed, in which case the TV might as well go in the living room. So perhaps you need to discuss this with the girl who shares your room and figure out what is going to work best.
Headphones could be used with the TV as well.
I agree, though, you shouldn’t have to put your TV in the living room.