In terms of Web design programs, a relatively inexperienced user approaching a semester project with time constraints might well try a couple of programs, but should probably settle down to a single program quickly.

Dreamweaver's better than Frontpage. Either will design a website. Links themselves, either offsite or onsite, are about equally easy in any software. Multimedia and graphics may cause a bit more problems.

One has the following options:

1) Download a freeware editor at some place like Tucows. Search for something like "WYSIWYG HTML editor" (the WYSIWYG just means you don't have to look at the code, or not muct).