NOR GATE SIMULATION

Yup, that worked! would be great if I could have your advice on this too... I am trying to switch this SR latch on at a known state, so that the graph isn't this...

Sorry, what do you mean the graph isn't this? It'd better to tell what the graph should be instead. Do you expect the output of U2 to toggle?

I meant the second graph on top for the output of Q

i thought that’s showing up because the SR latch I made is entering an unknown state on power on.

i was also wondering how the output could be made 5V output and 0V instead of the what’s there in the graph.

Yes, that makes sense and it works! Thank you. However when I’m connecting the circuit once the parts come in, would the capacitor I placed there work to make sure it starts in a known state? Or do I not need to worry about it?

sure. you can use the cap to hold voltage low as long as it's big enough to sustain the duration you need.