His three years stay at the academy were fruitful, but difficult, While other students spent their leisure time traveling or dancing, Chen had to find part-time work to cover his living expenses.
念藝專的三年，是他生命史上最艱苦的階段。當其他同學忙著參加郊遊、舞會的時候，陳朝寶埋頭讀書，或出外打工。